Automatic firearm.



PATENTED UGT. 30, 1.906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' J. J. REIPGRABER.

AUTOMATIC PIRBARM.

APPLICATION FILED APR.13, 1904.

1mg-|15: 4. l .6 ,M f g if ...as a..

lumi-1y l mmv A 77'OHNE YS PATBNTED OCT. 80, 1906.

J. J. RBIFGRABBR. AUTOMATIC FIRBARM.

APPLIGATION FILED APB.. 13, 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2. l l5 ya' BL.

No. 834,753.v

PATENTED OCT. 30", 1906.

J. J. REIFGRABER.

AUTOMATIC FIREARM.

APPLICATION FILED APB..13, 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

w flu-IW ATTOHNEYS PATENTBD OCT. 30, 1906.

J. J. REIFGRABER.

AUTOMATIC FI-RBARM.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 1a, 1904.

A TTOHNE YS PATENTED OCT. 3G, 1906.

J. J.k REIFGRABBR.

AUTOMATIC FIREARM.

APPLICATION PILPD APR. 1a. 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5 W/ TNE SSE S.'

NTED STATES FFICE.

JOSEPH JOACHlM RFFGRABE, OF ST. LOUS, MISSOURI.

Speciication of Letters Patent.

Patented oct. 3o, 1906.

Application tiled April 13,1904. Serial No. 202,953.

To a/gwh/om it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH JOACHIM Biarr- GRABER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, have in- 5 vented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Firearms, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the drawings hereto annexed.

This invention is an improvement in fire- 1o arms, and relates particularly to that class of automatic firearms in which the several operations-such as the unlocking and opening of the breech after firing a shot, the extracting and ejection of the empty cartridge-shell, the cooking of the hammer, the introduction of a fresh cartridge into the firing-chamber, and the closing and locking of the breech-F are automatically effected by the pressure of the gases generated by the explosion of the zo cartridge.

My invention comprises further improve- -ments in firearms of the class described, for

instance, in United States Patent No. 729,413, granted to me May 26, 1903.

An important ob'ect of my invention is to construct a gun or rearm of this class which shall be simple and inexpensive in construction, safe and reliable under all conditions of use, and in which the shock of recoil shall be 3o reduced to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is to produce a firearmof this class in which vall moving parts are practically and safely incased within the frame or gun-body and in the dismounting and reassembling of which no tools whatever shall be required.

Another object of the invention is to produce a firearm of this class in which nothing shall interfere with the sighting of the gun,

4o the recoil being reduced to a minimum by a scientiiicemployment and accurate adjustment oflthe gas-pressure for that purpose, the empty shell beingv ejected laterally and no moving parts being provided on the outside.

Another object ofthe invention is to produce a firearm of this class which for safety in handling and carrying the firing mechanism whenever it is cocked or made ready for 5o firing shall be provided with an automatic locking device, such lockingdevice to be actuated to Aunlock the firing mechanism by the act olf naturally grasping the gun and holding it in firing position.

Another object of the invention is to produce a firearm of this class which is provided with an automatic, safe, and reliable indicator perceptible to touch, as well as to sight, for showing if the concealed firing mechanism is in a released position or cocked ready for instant use.

Another object of the invention is to produce a firearm of this class in which by a single move of the thumb of the right hand holding the arm the operator can lock and set positively at rest the entire firing mechanism, as well as all the rest of the moving parts of the gun, or, if locked, release the entire mechanism by a single move of the same finger and lever for the instant use of the arm.

These objects are attained by a simple and practical mechanism, which is efcient, safe, and durable.

The principal ideas of my invention are capable of various mechanical expressions and are adaptable not only to a gas-operatedl magazine-piston, as herein shown for purpose of illustration only, but it is to be understood that I do not intend to restrict my inventionto any particular kind of firearm. Obviously, also, various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made Within the scope of my invention.

In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section of the firearm with the parts in position to fire. Fig. 2 is a similar section with the parts in fired position, the bullet being in a position between the gas vents or ports and the muzzle of the barrel. Fig. 3 is `a detail section on about line 8 3 of Fig. l. ,Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the iirearm. Fig. '.5 is a longitudinal section similar to Figs. l land 2 with the parts in the osition they assume in ejecting the iired s ell, a cartridge being in position to feed up in the place of the ejected shell and the safety-lever being pressed forward to prevent the hammer from engaging with and locking the breech-block in its rearmost position. Fig. 6 is a partial longitudinal section showing the magazinefollower up afterk discharging the last cartridge in a position to form a stop or abut- IOO ment for the breech-block. Fig. 7 is a par- IIO section on aboiit line 12 12 of Fig. 5, showing the parts in the position they assume in ejecting the shell. Fig. 13 is a vertical longitudinal section of the frame, the movable parts being removed. Fig. 14 is a detail rear clevation, and Fig. 15 is a side elevation, ol: the rear portion of the barrel. Fig. 16 is a detail rear end view of the framing. Fig. 17 is a detail perspective View of the frame. Fig. 18 is a detail pers )ective view, partly in section, of the barrel-stop. Fig. 19 is a detail perspective view of the back plug of the frame. Fig. 2() is a detail perspective view of the trigger. Figs. 21 and 22 are detail perspective views of the inner faces of the opposite side plates of the handle. Fig. 23 is a detail pers )ective view of the pivot device for the satetyever. Fig. 24 is a detail perspective view of the hammer. Fig. 25 is a detail perspective view of the casing or frame of the safety-lever. Fig. 26 is adetail perspective view of the sear. Fig. 27 is a detail perspective view of the main or hammer spring. Fig. 28 is a detail perspective View of the combined sear, trigger, and safety-lever spring. Fig. 29 is a top plan view of the barrel with the gripping-wings in place. Fig. 30 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 31 is a detail perspective view of the barrel and its rear extension or receivers7 the movable parts being omitted. Fig. 32 is a detail perspective view of the piston. Fig. 33 is a detail erspective view of the abutment-ring for t 1e rear end of the barrel-spring. Fig. 34 is a detail perspective view of the magazinefollower. Fig. 35 is a detail perspective view of the body of the magazine or carrier for the cartridges preparatory to their insertion into the chamber of the barrel. Fig. 36 is a detail perspective view of one of the grippingwings of the barrel. Fig. 37 is a detail perspective View of the other gripping-wing. Fig. 38 is a detail perspective view of the breech-block. Fig. 39 is a detail perspective View of the iiing-pinl Fig. 40 is a detail perspective viev,T of the extractor. Figs. 41 and 42 are side views of the breech-block. Figs. 43 and 44 are top and bottom views of the breech-block. Figs. 45 and 46 are crosssections on, respectively, lines 45 45 and 46 46 of Fig. 41.

In carrying out my invention l provide a casing or frame A, which supports the several movable parts and comprises, as shown, a barrel portion A', a body portion A2 in rear of the barrel portion, and a handle portion A3. The barrel portion is provided at its front end with the inwardly-projecting annular flange a', at the center of which is provided the o enin a, in which operates the front end o the s idinflr barrel, presently described. The interior of the barrel portion A immediately in rear of the ilange a forms the cylinder A4, in which operates the gas, which pushes back the sliding barrel and also exerts a forward tendency against the inwardlyprojecting llange d' in order to `ncutrali'lc in a large measure the recoil, as will be more fully described hereinafter. Immediately in rear ol the chamber A1 the barrel portion A is enlarged slightly at A5 to receive the readjusting-spring and the parts associated therewith, presently described, and this spring-receiving portion A5 extends back of the forward end of the body A5, which latter is chambered slightly larger than the portion A5 of the barrel, as shown.

The body portion is provided in its opposite sides with openings o2 a5, in which operate the gripping side wings on the longitudinallymovable breech-block, and in rear of` the slots a2 a5 the body portion is provided with laterally-bulging portions A7, which vform guides or receptacles for the gripping side Wings when the latter are moved back to their rearmost position. The rear end of the casing is provided with longitudinal slots o and transverse grooves o5, in which lit lugs on the back plug when the latter is adjusted by a bayonetike joint to the casing, as will be more 'fully described hereinafter.

Immediately below the front end of' the body portion A2 ol: the frame is provided the ring A8,'in which the trigger operates, and the front end of the body A2 immediately above said ring A8 is provided with a longitudinal opening A5, having in cross-section a 'formation similar to a keyhole-slot and adapted to receive the barrel-stop, presently described, which stop is inserted longitudinally in the frame and then partially rotated into engagement with the barrel, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The rear endvoil the body A2 is grooved in its inner face at its'i-ipper end at A10, forming a way in which operates the locking-cam for the breech-block, the lront end of the groove A10 terminating at a point adjacent to the rear end of the stroke ol the sliding barrel, so the cam, presently described, will lock the breech-block to the sliding barrel until the latter has reached the end of its stroke, when the breech-block may continue its 'travel past the rocking-cam, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The'frame is also provided in one side of its handle portion A3 immediately below the body portion A2 with a l(ingitudinally-extending slot All, in which operates the inwardly-projecting ortion oi'A the side lock, presently described? an opening A extending upwardly through the body portion A2 and into the latter for the vertically-operat ing pin, which acts as a lock for be siiding barrel in the use of the invention, as will be presently described.

The handle portion A3 is recessed 'imm end to end for the magazine and is also provided in its rear sido with a recess A, in which operates the safety-lever, presently described.

lOO

IIO

saines The opening or chamber in the handle portion A3 for the magazine communicates at its upper end with the interior of the body portion A2 of the framing, so the cartridges may be supplied from the magazine directly to the operating parts within the body portion A2 in the use of the invention.

The rear end of the frame A is closed by the back plug B, having lugs l) operating in the slots and grooves in the rear end of the body A2, and such plug B is also provided with a slot b in its lower side which is entered by projecting nose extensions P at the upper end of the safety-lever P when the latter is connected with the handle ortion A3 of the frame in the assembled condition of the gun. By this construction the back plug locked within the rear end of the frame at all times when the safety-lever is in place, and as said safety-lever carries the firing mechan-` ism the plug is therefore locked in place at all times when the firearm is in condition for use.

The barrel D is movable longitudinally within the frame and is constructed with the front portion or barrel proper, D', and the rear extension or receiver D2, within which latter operates the breech-block carrying the firingpin, as will be described. At its forward end the barrel proper, D, is formed to fit the open: ing a in the front end of the frame, and the barrel is provided a short distance in rear of its front end with a forwardly-facing shoulder d, against which is seated the i sten-ring D3, which may be packed if foun necessary in any suitable manner to cause it to o erate with sufficient tightness within the cyllinder in the front end of the frame. A ort or ports d are provided leading through t e barrel ortion immediately in front of the iston D3 into the cylinder, so that after the ullet has passed the port d part of the gas resulting from the explosion will pass into the cylinder and will operate between the flange at the front of the frame and the piston D3 and will act to force the sliding barrel rearwardly and also to exert a forward tendencyagainst the inwardly-projecting flange, thereby securing the rearward movement of the sliding barrel for the purpose of ejecting the fired shell and recharging the gun for another operation, as well as to neutralize by the forward pressure exerted against the inwardlyprojecting flange of the frame the force of the recoil. The piston-ring D3 has a forwardlyprojecting cylindrical portion d3, which is provided with an opening d, which may be turned into full or artial register to any desired degree with tiie port d', and so act as a valve toregulate the amount of gas admitted to the cylinder A4.

The rearward movement of the sliding barrel by the force of the explosion is resisted in a measure by the spiral spring E, which tends to readjust the barrel and the parts carried thereby after the force of explosion has been exhausted, which occurs when the front end of the barrel proper is forced rearwardly beyond the flange of the front end of the frame, so the gases within the cylinder can escape through the opening a. This spring E is in the construction shown caused to act between a ring Fand the collar G. The ring F encircles the barrel proper and is carried at the front end of a rod F, which projects forwardly from a grip ing-wing H, which connects by an inward y-projecting pin H with the breech-block I.

The collar G encircles the barrel proper in advance of the rear extension D2 and abuts in its rearmost position against the shoulder d2 at the front end of such extension, the shoulder beingsloped away or recessed on its under side at d3 to permit the introduction in rear of the ring G of the lug on the barrel-stop J, presently described. The rear extension D2 is also provided in its under side with a 'recess d4, in which operates the lug onsaid barrel-stop, which limits the movement of the sliding barrel.

The barrel-stop J is in the form of a bolt having on one side the lug J which operates in rear of the collar G and forms an abutment for said collar when the barrel moves rearwardly, and the stop J is also provided with a lug J 2, which operates in the recess d4 in the under side of the rear extension D2, and thus operates to limit the movement of the barrel in both directions. This barrelstop J is inserted in the longitudinal opening A9 in the body A2 of the frame, the slot or wing a9 of said opening A9 extending laterally to ermit the introduction of the barrel-stop bolrt J, which wh'en inserted may be given aquarter-turn to bring its lugs J and J2 into engagement with the parts with which they coperate, as before described. The stop J is given a forward tension by a spring J3, operating within the hollow bolt J 4 of the stop, so the stop may operate as a cushion in relieving the shock of the rearward movement of the sliding barrel, and so ease the motion of said barrel in the movement which is given to it by the action of the gases in the cylinder at the front end of the frame. By the described mechanism it will be noticed the sliding movement of the barrel in the rearward direction is effected by the gases operating in the cylinder at the front end of the frame, and such rearward movement of the barrel compresses the spring E, which tends to readj ust the barrel and the arts carried thereby after the force of exp osion has been exhausted.

The gripping-wingV Il operates within the opening a2 in the side of the frame A and has on its inner side a block H2, which carries the pin H and which block slides back and forth ina slot D4,formed longitudinally in one side of the rear extension D2 of the barrel, a slot the breech-block and the'rear end of the slot D'v1 being narrowed to prevent the turning of the gripping-wing when in its rearmost position. On their outer sides the grippingwings li and zy are alilre, and they are roughened on their outer faces at their front ends,

so they can be readily drawn back when' grasped by the operator. By these grippingwings the breech-block and the sliding barrel may be drawn rearwardly in the operation of the Vlirearm whenever desired.

The collar G is grooved in its outer side at g, and a groove j" is formed in the tace ot' the rear extension D3 to receive the rod F, which extends between the ring F and the grippingwing ll, as will be understood trom the drawings.

The rear extension Dl is recessed longitudinally in line with the bore of the barrel and is provided in its opposite sides with grooves D, in which slide the ribs i on the opposite sides of the breech-block I. This breechblock I has a longitudinal opening receiving the 'tiring-pin K, which latter may be oi' ordinary construction and may be secured in the usual manner, except that in the present instance I prefer to hold the Vhring-pin by the pivot-pin L of the extractor L. This extractor L has at one end its pivot-pin L', which passes through the breech-block and operating in a groove K of the firing-pin limits the movement of the latter, and at its other end with a hook L2, which extends alongside the front end of the breech-block, is beveled at L3 to permit it to pass into engagement with the flange on the rear edge of a cartridge-shell, and the body of the extractor tits up within a groove i in the under side ol" one ot' the ribs i of the breech-block, as shown in thc drawings. This extractorhook operates in connection with a projecting pin L5 on the side ot theframe opposite said extractor to eject the shell laterally, the hook dragging the shell back at one side and the projection L; forming a stop tor the opposite side ot the shell and causing the same to he thrown laterallyT out through the openings in the extension D2 and the vframe in the operation of the arm. The extractor L has a small pin or projection L* to lit into a hole or recess L7 of breech-block i to hold it in normal position. The in L5 operates in a groove L8 in the side of' the breech-block. In its under side at its rear end the extension D2 is slotted longitudinally at D7, forming an opening in which the hammer operates to strike the rear end ol' the tiring-pin, the walls on opposite sides of said slot or openings D" forming an abutment for contact by the safety-studs on the hammer when the latter 7o is out of liring position, as will be more fully described.

rlhe breech-block is also provided on its under side with a 'forwardly-facing shoulder l for engagement by the hammer so the harn- 75 mer can Operate to hold the breech-block in tiring position when the safety-lever is in normal position, such hammer releasing the breech-block when the safety-lever is pressed in, as will be more fully described hereinafter, 8o

In its upper side the rear extension D2 of the barrel is provided with an opening D8, in which pivots and operates the latch lil, which pivots at M in the extension D2 and has a wing M2, having shoulders l\l3 and M'4 at its 8 5 opposite ends, the latch rocking in connection with the barrel extension D2, so that when the barrel is moving toward its tore,- most position the shoulder M riding beneath the top of the l'rame will retain the latch in 9o the position shown in Figs. l and 2, in which its shoulder M will bear in rear of the breechblock and lock the same until the latch reaches a position in which it can swing up into the groove A1", sothe locking latch or 95 cani for the breech-block when adjusted may be torced up into said groove A by the breech-block and the latter travel rearwardly independently of the. sliding` barrel lo the rearmost position of the said lneech-bloclt. By this means the breech-block may travel rearwardly independent ol the sliding barrel to permit the withdrawal ol the exploded shell, the ejection ot said shell, as belore described, and the feed of a fresh shell into the rear extension of the barrel, so ihrnext torward movement ot the ln'eech-bloch may force the fresh shell to tiring position. lt will be understood that when the ln'eech-block is in its rearrnost position the shell may be l'ed up and the breech-block may then move forwardwith the barrel and the breech-blocking cam or latch will adjust in rear ol the breechblock and tra-vel with the lncech-bloci; and barrel forwardly, so that the cam will be held by the frame in advance ol the groove i in such position as to locl; the hreech-blmk from any rearward movmnent until the barrel has again been pushed bai-l; into the position in which the locking cam or lswing up into the groove A1 breech-block. By arranging latch in rear of the discharge el i prevent the dropping ol said latch said discharge and prevent its intcrh "g any way with the passage of the cartridges to and from the position in which they are tired.

The hammer N, scar O, and the springs for operating the hammer, the scar, and the safety-lever are carried in the safety-lever 130 P, which is pivotedat Q to the frame and has at its rear side, below said pivot, a lug or extension P', which, engaging the frame A, limits the outward lMovement of the lower end of the safety-lever and stops the saine in the position shown in Fig. 1 of .the drawings. This safetylever operates 1n therecess A13 in the rear side of the handle portion A3 of the frame and is pressed to its outer or normal position by a spring R, which bears between the lower end of the safetylever and the frame, as shown in Figs. l and 5. By preference the. spring R for actuating the safety-lever, the Sear-spring Rfor operating the sear, and the trigger-spring vR2 are made in one piece, comprising a main plater, whose lower end is upturned to provide the spring R and whose upper end is slitted to form the spring R for the sear'and R'fz for the tri ger, the trigger-spring being preferably ma e of two side sections and the upper ends of springs R and R2 being preferably deflected at r and r2, so they will exert a forward and upward tension on, respectively, the sear and the rear end of the trigger in the operation ofthe device as presently described. In securing the sprin R in the safety-lever the latter is provide on its inner side, at its lower end, with an upwardly-facing notch p, in which the lower end of the spring-plate R is seated, the main plate 1" fulcruming between its ends on the forwardly-projecting lug or boxing p on thel inner face of the safety-lever, near the lower end of the latter. This construction is simple and permits the convenient application and removal of the spring without necessitating separate fastening devieesand permits the removal of the spring and the securing of same in place without the necessity of screw-drivers or other tools'.

The hammer N is ivoted to the safetylever at N, by means o a cross-pin, which extends through the side plates P at' the opposite sides of the head of the safety-lever, such pin' N being prevented from displacement when the safety-lever is fitted into the frame by the ends of said pin N bearing between the opposite sides ofthe frame, as will be understood from the drawings. This hammer N is of ordinary construction, except in certain articulars,-whereby it` operates to hold the breech-block in its rearmost position when 'the safety-lever is in normal position. The hammer is notched at N 2 at its front end to receive the side lock, which holds the hammer when in cocked position and it is not desired to iire the gun, and the hammer is also providedwith stop studs or projections N3, which engage the rear end of the receiver D2 if the hammer should be released when the safetylever is out or in normal position and will prevent the hammer from moving into engagement with the iring-pin in such position of the parts, as will be understood from the dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In this operation if the hammershould be released from any cause its stop projections N 3 will come in contact with the abutment provided by the rear end of the receiver D2 on opposite sides of the slot or opening D9 and will prevent the hammer from passing into said slot or opening D9 and Y into contact with the iringin in the use of the invention. This, it wil be understood, occurs when the safety-lever is out or in normal position. When the safetylever is pressed in preparatory to firing, the ham-L mer will be lifted by the raising of its pivot, resulting from the relative location of such pivot and the pivotal connection of the safety-lever with the frame, so that the stoppins N 3 will ride above the abutment on the 'rear end-of the receiver D2 and permit the hammer to move in into contact with the firing-pin to ire the arm. The hammer is also provided at its lower or front end with a shoulder or projection N4, which in the position of parts shown in Fig. 1 presses upon the upper end of the sear and forces lthe sear down, the action of the hammer-s ring, presently described, being stronger t an that of the Sear-spring, so that the hammer may press the sear down to firing position, this shoulder or projection N*-\being also the releasing-shoulder for engagement by the sear, so the latter may hold and release the hammer.

The hammer-spring N5 is arranged at its upper end to operate the hammer in the usual manner and has at its lower end an upturned portion N '5, which fits and is held in the lug or boxing p of the safety-lever, such upturned portion N6 being provided at its free end with the catch projection N7, which engages with the seat p2 on the boxing p and may be removed easily after the hammer has been removed and-the tension of the spring into firing position and also to permit thev passage or' the trigger in the movement of same to its retracted or iringposition. To this end the sear is pivoted on a pin O and is slotted at O2 for the passage of'said pin, the slot O2 being elongated in the direction of length of the Sear, so the sear can move longituomally and also rock in the operation of the device. At its front end' the sear is adapted to hold and release the hammer by engagement with the shoulder or projection N* thereof, has its upperarm notched at O3 IZO 4 for the passage of the pin on the side lock.

which pin holds the hammer when in cocked position, and at its lower end the sear 1s provided with the projecting fingers or portions O4 for engagement by the trigger. These fingers are preferably spaced apart to permit the operation between them of the searspring R', which operates upon the sear, as shown in the drawings. These fingers O4 operate adjacent to stop-shoulders P4 on the front side of the safety-lever, said shoulders P4 forming a stop for engagement by the trigger when the safety-lever 1s pressed out or 1n normal position and the sear being pressed up by the action of its spring to a point in line with these shoulders when the hammer is released. When the hammer is in firing position, its shoulder or project-ion N4, pressing upon the upper end of the sear, will force the latter downward, bringing its fingers or projections O4 below the stop-shoulders P4 and into position to be engaged by the cross-bar S of the trigger S when the latter is pulled.

After the trigger is pulled and the hammer is fired the sear will be forced upward by the action of its spring and will permit the crossbar S of the trigger S to escape in the forward or readjusting movement ofthe trigger, the trigger having a limited up-and-down movement at its rear end to facilitate this escapement action in the readjustment of the trig er in the operation of the invention. In furt er describing this operation it will be noticed that in Fig. l the sear is pressed down by the pressure of the mainspring, acting through the hammer, so the points or fin ers O4 at the lower end of the sear project be ow the shoulders P4 and in position to be operated by the trigger lif the latter is pulled. As soon as the hammer is released by the sear the latter will be forced up by the searspring, which exerts an upward tendency on the lower end of the Sear and sets the same to the position shown in Fig. 2, in which position the tri ger can pass the fingers at the lower end ofg the Sear if the trigger should be ulled when the arts are in such position. n the position ofpparts shown in Fig. 1 the trigger if pulled would strike the shoulders P4 on the head of the safety-lever and would not operate the sear until the safety-lever is pressed in in gripping the handle of the firearm. It will be noticed that the triggerspring operates to force the trigger forward and also to press the rear end of such trigger upwardly with a yielding action.

The pivot Q of the safety-lever is preferably effectedl by means of the combined pivot and latch shown in Fig. 23. This consists of the pivot-pin Q, which is inserted through the frame and through the pivot-opening in the safety-lever and is provided at one end with the lateral arm Q', having the tongue Q2 and the thumb-piece Q3, the tongue Q2 being arranged to engage with a seat Q4 in the frame, as best shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The side lock T is arranged lto engage with the safety-lever and also with the hammer, as well as with the rear extension of the barrel, in order to lock the safety-lever andthe hammer and the barrel and the breech-block when the said side lock is moved from theposition shown in full lines in Fig. 4 to the dotted-line position shown in the same figure. This side lock is shown in detail in Fig. 10 and consists of the outer or gripping plate T, the inwardly-projecting plate or wing T2, which operates in the slot A in the frame A, and the depending wing T3, which operates along the inner face of the side plate of the frame and carries the inwardly-projecting pin T, which moves into the slot t* in the safety-lever and the slot N2 in the hammer when the side lock is moved rearwardly to the dooted-line position shown in Fig. 4, and so operates to lock the safety-lever and the hammer from movement. When moved to such dotted-line position, .the side lock also o erates upon a pin t, which is movable in t e frame into and out of engagement with the barrel, and presses such pin upwardly into engagement with the barrel, a spring acting upon the pin to force the same normally downward and release the barrel. In this operation an inclined surface ITOon the side lock, Fig. 10, engages the inclined lower end t10 of the pin t (see Fig. 11) and as the lock is moved longitudinally forces the pin t up, as will be understood from Fig. 8. The side lock not only operates as a lock, but also acts as an indicator to show the operator both by sight and touch when the safety-lever and the hammer are locked and when such parts are unlocked and ready for action, the side lock operating thus in connection with the safety-lever to indicate to the operator when the gun is ready to be fired.

If in operation the gun is fired and the barrel and breech-block travel rearwardly and the operator should release the safety-lever instantly on firing the gun, the hammer would move with the safety-lever in such manner as to permit the upper end of the hammer to engage with the shoulder on the under side of the breech-block and hold the breech-block in its rearmost position, thus opening the gun and exposing the same to an inspection of its interior before all the cartridges are fired. This is an important feature, as it permits the operator to at any time inspect the interior of the gun through the lateral opening through which the shells are ejected.

The cartridge-magazine U fits in its recess within the handle of the gun, is adapted to receive a number of cartridges, and has a spring-pressed follower U, which forces the cartridges `upward to discharge the latter into the gun in the usual way. This follower IXO is of a special constructionl in that it is provided at its rear end with a shoulder or abutment U2, which when the magazine is empty moves upward into the' path of the breechi magazine in the' frame of the gun.

block and is engaged by said breech-block on the forward movement of the latter in such manner as to stop the forward movement of the breech-block when the last cartridge has been ejected from the magazine and fired in the operation of the invention, thus indicating at once to the operator that the magazine has discharged its last cartridge.

A latch U3 is provided for securing the The latch U3, as shown, is formed by cutting out a tongue from one side of the magazine U and deflecting such tongue U3 so that it stands normally out from the side, so that its hook or shoulder U4 will engage a shoulder at U5 within the casing, theV thumb-piece U6 being in the form of a pin, as best shown in Fig. 3, and connected with the spring-tongue U3, so it may o erate to release said tongue in graspingt emagazine, so that the latch willbe released by the act of grasping the magazine. To this end the magazine projects when in the firearm slightly below the handle and is provided on its projecting portion with a finger-hold U7, which receives the pin U6, which may be depressed to release the latch U3 from engagement with the frame of the gun. Thus it will be noticed that by simply grasping the magazine to withdraw the same from the gun the latch isA released from` engagement with the4 frame, thus releasing the magazine, so that it can be readily withdrawnand another substituted in its place.

From the foregoing description it Will be noticed that my gun is so constructed that its several parts are secured in place without the necessity of se arate fastenings, which Would necessitatey t Le use of a tool in taking the firearm apart or in putting it together.

In operation by grasping the breech-block by means of the wings H and h, which project'through slots in the sides of the frame, the operator may force the breech-block rearwardly as far as vit will go, the hammer N will be cocked, and in case the safety-lever P is not pressed in the hammer will arrest the breech-block by engagement with the shoulder I3 thereon. In case the loaded magazine is not already in place it may now be inserted or a single cartridge maybe placed in the firing-chamber. By now gripping the handle of the gun tightly the safety-lever will .be pressed in and such lever, swinging on its pivot Q, Will release the hammer from' engagement with the breech-block, and such breech-block will snap shut by the pressure of the spring E. This movement will also lock the breech-block to the barrel by turning the cam or latch M down in rear of the breechblock. The parts are now in firing position. If the trigger should be pulled without keeping the safety-lever pressed tightly forward, the cross-arm of the trigger will come in contactl with the shoulders P4 and the trigger will not operate upon the sear to release the hammer; but if the safety-lever P is pressed tightly forward and the trigger is pulled the trigger will actupon the projecting fingers O 1 Y.

the piston D3, easing the shock of the recoil' by its action on the flange a and operating Aagainst the piston D3 to force the piston, the

barrel, the extension of the barrel, and the breech-block rearwardly until t-he muzzle of the barrel clears the opening a in the front end of the frame, when the gas in the gaschamber can escape through such opening a.

At this instant, or rather immediat ely before the bullet leaves the barrel, the breech-locking cam M will clear the shoulder at-the front end of the groove A and will swing upward, unlocking the breech-block, which `by its momentum will continue moving rearwardly .to its rearmost position, operating meanwhile to extract the shell and eject the same laterally through the opening ai in the side of the frame. As the gases escape at the muzzle, the barrel will be arrested the moment the cam M swings upward into the groove A10 to unlock the breech-block by thestriking of the barrel against the lug J2 of the barrelstop, and the barrel will be held in such position, the rearward movement of the breechblock compressing the spring E in cocking the hammer and permitting the magazine to feed a new cartridge up into the path of the breech-block, Which as it moves forwardl will force the cartridge into the breech of the barrel. The spring J3 of the barrel-stop operates to cushion the stopping of the barrel in its rearmost position and aids in reducing the shock of the recoil to a minimum. At the moment the breech-block reaches its rear position the uppermost cart-ridge in the magazine will advance in front of the breechblock, and if the safety-lever is still held pressed in the breech-block will be pressed forward bythe spring E, force the upper cartridge home into the firing-chamber, and again lock the breech by the turning of the cani M down in rear of the breech-block. The longitudinal or up-and-down movement of the scar relatively to its pivot operates to secure the firing of only one shot for every pull of the trigger. In this operation when the hammer is cocked and resting upon the IOS I sear the latter will be pressed downwardly against the tension of it s spring, and the lower end ol the scar will project below tlte shoulders l ofthe sa lety-lever and in tlfe path of the cross-bar of the trigger'. As soon, however, as the hammer is released by the sear the scar will be forced upwardly by its spring and will pass out oi the path of the cross-bar of the triggci, so that even if the trigger is held retracted the scar is free to arrest the hammer in its cocked position. The springs which act uate the trigger press said trigger forwardly and upwardly, and such trigger has at its rear end also a slight up-and-down play to allow escapcment of thetrigger in its forward movement only. The side lock T operates to lock the entire iiring mechanism in a cocked position by a simple movement to the rear. Such movement. of the side lock locks the safety-lever and hammer and also the breech-block by means of the upv thumb of the right hand when holding the pistol for tiring purposes rests on such side ook, and a. pressure forward or back by the thumb will lock or unlock the entire gun mechanism. This side lock, as will be understood, may be operated to lock practically every movable part ol the gun from movement.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is#

l. The improvement in automatic firearms hercin described comprising a casing, having a barrel portion provided at its fropt end with an opening for the front end of the barrel and an inwardly-projecting Hange surrounding the said opening such casing being also provided near its rear end with lateral openings l'or the. gripping-wings, the barrel movable at its front end in said opening and rearwardly to a point clear of such opening in the flange whereby to permit gases evolved by the explosion to escape through such opening, the barrel being provided near its front end with a port for the passage of gas into the barrel portion of the casing and in rear of said por't with a piston operating in the casing, the extension or receiver at the rear'end of the barrel proper provided with guides for the breech-block and with openings in its sides for the passage of devices connecting with such breech-block, the abutment-ring on the barrel proper in advance oll the receiver, the spring on the barrel proper in advance of said abutment-ring, the ring encircling the barrel and forming a bearing for the front end of the barrel-spring, the gripping-plates at the opposite sides of the receiver, one of said gripping-plates being connected with the ring forming the front bearing for the barrel-spring, the breechbloclt operating in the receiver and connected with the gril'iping-wings, and a barrel-stop carried by the casing and engaging the abutment-ring for the rear end of the barrelspri-ng, and liring mechanism, substantially as set forth.

2. In an automatic iirearm the combination with the casing. having at its front end an inwardly-projecting [lange provided with an opening for the front end of the barrel, the barrel operating in said opening and movable in its rearmost position to a point rearwardly clear of suoli opening and having a piston for the gases to operate on whereby the gases supplied to the casing to operate the barrel may escape through such opening when the barrel is in its rearmost position, means being provided whereby the gas will pass to the casing in rear of such ilange and will operate the barrel rearwardly, means for readjusting the barrel to normal position, and tiring mechanism.

3. In an automatic firearm the combination with the casing having a cylinder for the operation of the gases evolved from the explosion, and the barrel reciprocating in said casing and having a port for the passage of the gases to the cylinder and provided with a piston adjustable to control such port.

4. The combination in an automatic firearm substantially'as described, of the casing having a cylinder, the barrel reciprocating in said casing and having a port for the passage of gas to the cylinder, and a piston on said barrel having a tubular extension provided with an opening to registerwith the port in the barrel, the piston being rotatable on the barrel whereb to regulate the port therein.

5. The combination of the casing having a cylinder and provided at the front end thereof with an inwardly-projecting flange having an opening for the barrel, the barre tenoned at its front end and operating in said opening and provided in said tenen with a port for the gas and at the rear end of said tenon with a forwardly-facing shoulder, and the piston fitting on the tenon against said shoulder.

6. The combination with the barrel, the casing, a spring on the barrel for readjusting the latter, a ring forming the front bearing l or said spring, the breech-block operating in the barrel, connections between the breech,-A block and said front-bearing' ring for the spring, a rear bearing for the spring and a slop abutment for said rear bearing for the s amg.

i 7. The combination of the barrel, the casing, the breech-block movable in the barrel, the barrel-spring, the front bearing for said spring, connections between said front bearing and` the breech-block, the collar forming a rear bearing for the spring, and an abutment carried .by the casing and forming a stop for said rear bearing.

IOO

ISO

8. The combination of the barrel, the -1as ing, the springfor readjusting the barrel, a front bearing for said spring, a ring forming a rear bearing for the spring, a barrel-stop supported in the casing and having a bolt provided withmeans engaging the barrel and also with a lug forming an abutment for said rear bearing-ring, and a spring actuating the barrel-stop, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of the casing, the barrel having a rear extension or receiver, the magazine in the casing discharging to the barrel the breech-blockoperating inthe rear eX- tension of the barrel, the rockin latch,pivoted' to the barrel, in rear of the ischarge of the magazine and arranged to lock the breechblock from rearward movement independent of the barrel, the casing being arranged to hold the latch in position to lock' the breechblock and to release said latch to permit the movement of the breech-block independent of the barrel.

10. The combination of the barrel the breech-block movable with and independently'of the same, the rocking latch pivoted above the breech-block whereby it may swing back and forth having a shoulder to engage with the breech-block to hold the same to the barrel and a shoulder approximately at a right angle to such first shoulder, and the casing having a rearwardly-facing shoulder for engagement by the latter shoulder of the latch and a recess in rear thereof to receive the latch whereby the latch when in rear of said shoulder may turn to releasethe breech-block and when in advance 'of said shoulder will lock the breech-block to the barrel, the casing having an overhanging portion extending back beyond the rearwardly-facing shoul- 11. The combination of the barrel, the breech-block, the latch having its adjoining faces approximately at a right angle toeach other and pivo'ted within the angle of said faces, means for moving saidlatc'h bodily into the path of the breech-block in one position by which to lock the breech-block to the barrel, `and means whereby said latch is released as the barrel moves longitudinally7 the latch beling pivoted to and movable with the barre 12. The combination of the barrel, the casing, the barrel-spring, a front bearing for said spring, the breech-block, the gripping-plates connected with the breech-block, a bar connecting one of said gripping-plates with the front bearing for the spring, the rear bearing for the barrel-spring, and the barrel-stop carried by the casing and having means for limiting the longitudinal movements of the barrel and for forming an abutment or stop for the rear bearing of the barrel-spring.

13. The combination of the barrel-casing, the barrel having a rear extension provided in its opposite sides with slots and in one side barrel having a rear extension or receiver and a slot therein for the barrel-stop, the barrelspring, the front bearing for said spring, the rin forming a rear' bearing for the spring,A an the barrel-stop inserted in the casing and having lugs one of which operates in the slot of the barrel extension and the other of which forms an abutment for the rearbearing-ring for the barrel-spring.

15. Thecombination of the casin the barrel having a rear extension provide with a slot for the lug on the barrel-stop, the barrel-spring, the ring forming a front bearing for the barrel spring, the breech block, means connecting the breech-block with said front bearing-ring, the rear bearing-ring for the barrel-spring, and -the barrel-stop supported in the casing and having a lug operating in the slot of 'the barrel extension, and a lug forming an abutment for the rear bearingring of the barrel-spring.

16. The combination of the casing the barrel movable longitudinally therein, and the barrel-stop supported in the casing and having a bolt provided with a lateral lug forengagement with the barrel 'whereby to limit the movement thereof, and a spring actuating the barrel-stop whereby to cushion the movement of the barrel.

17. The combination of the barrel having a rear extension or receiver -slotted in its opposite sides, the breech-block operating in said receiver, the gripping-plates connected with the opposite sides of the breech-block, and spring devices operating in connection with one of said gripping-plates to normally press the breech-block forward.

18. The combination of the casing, the barrel therein, the back plug having a bayonetlike joint with the casing, the firing mechanism, and the support for the firing mechanism engaging when connected with the casing with the back plug whereby to prevent the displacement thereof.

19. The combination ofthe casing, the barrel, the breech-block movable with and independent of the barrel, and firing mechanism having a hammer movable into position to engage with the breech-block when the latter is in its rearmost position to lock the breechblock in such position, and a safety-lever arranged for operation to set the hammer in position to engage with the breech-block when the latter is moved toits rearmost po- ICO sition and to release said hannner from such engagement.

20A In an automatic firearm the combination of the easing, having a cylinder for the operation of gases and a vent for said cylinder, the barrel sliding in the casing and controlling the c iflinder-vent and being ported for the passage of the gases to the cylinder, and the piston in said cylinder forming an abutment for said gases, substantially as set forth.

21. The combination of the casing, the barrel, the breech-block, the firing mechanism, including a hammer, and a safety-lever carrying the hammer and movable into and 'out of position in which to set the hammer in position to engage with the breech-block when the latter is moved to its rearmost position.

22. The combination of the casing, the barrel movable longitudinally in the casing, the breech-block :movable with and independently of the barrel, the gripping-plates detachably connected with the breech-block and arranged at the opposite sides thereof, the barrel-spring and means whereby the barrel-spring exerts through one of the gripping-plates a tension upon the breech-block.

23. In a firearm the combination of the hammer, the trigger, the sear pivoted whereby it may rock into and out of engagement with the hammer and movable longitudinally across its pivotal line whereby it may be moved into and out of firing position, the sear being provided at its upper end with means for holding and releasing the hammer and at its lower end with fingers or portions for engagement by the trigger, the latter being movable longitudinally in a direction approximately at a right angle to the direction of movement of the sear, means being provided whereby the sear will be held by the hammer 'when the latter is in firing position, in position for engagement by the trigger, and means for adjusting the sear after firing to permit the trigger to escape and pass the sear in readjusting to normal position.

24. The combination of the casing provided at its front end with a cylinder for the operation of the gas to actuate the barrel, the barrel movable in said casing, andv having a piston, and ported for the passage of gas to the cylinder, the breech-block movable in the barrel, and a latch for holding the breechblock to the barrel until the barrel has moved rearwardly to such position as to release the pressure from the cylinder in the casing whereby the pressure cannot escape at the breech of the arm.

25. The combination of the casing having a handle portion, a barrel, firing mechanism including a hammer, a scar, and devices for operating the same, and a support to which said hammer, sear and their actuating devices are secured, said support being fitted to the casing and forming with the handle portion of the latter the hand grip portion of the firearm, and means for securing the support to the casing.

26. The combination of the casing, the barrel, the breech-block, the hammer, the safetylever to which said hammer is pivoted, said safety-lever being pivoted tothe casing, a spring for pressing said. safety-lever outward, and stop devices for preventing the hammer from striking the firing-pin when the safetylever is in its outermost position.

27. T he combination of the casing, the safety-lever, the firing devices carried by the safety-lever, and a side lock movable into and out of position to lock the safety-lever from movement to firing position.

2S. The combination of the casing, the safety-lever having a slot for the side lock, the firing devices supported by the safetylever and including a hammer having a slot which registers in the locked position of the hammer with the slot in the safety-lever, and the side lock movable on the easing and having a portion entering the slots of the safetylever and hammer in the locked position of said side lock.

29. The combination of the hammer, the trigger movable longitudinally and. also having an up-and-down movement at its rear end, the sear movable pivotally and longitudinally, the latter movement being in a direction at approximately a right angle to the direction of longitudinal movement of the trigger, the said sear being provided at its lower end with projecting fingers for engagement by the trigger and adapted at its upper end to secure and release the hammer, and the combined Sear-spring and trigger-spring having at its upper end an intermediate tongue constituting a Sear-spring and side tongues engaging with the trigger, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

30. The combination of the casing, the safety-lever pivoted to the casing, a spring for pressing the safety-lever away from the casing, and the hammer ivoted to the safetylever in such position t iat when the safetylever is in its outermost position it will adjust the hammer out of position for firing the charge. l

' 3l. The combination in a firearm, of the hammer, the sear arranged to hold and release the hammer, said sear being movable pivotally and also movable bodily along its pivot, and the trigger to o erate on said sear and movable longitudinal y in a direction at approximately a right angle to the direction 'of longitudinal movement of the sear.

32. The combination in a firearm of the hammer, the sear movable pivotally and also movable longitudinally relative to its pivot, a spring for actuating said sear, and arranged to give same a longitudinal tendency, and the trigger for operating the scar and movable longitudinally in a direction at approxil'OO IOS

IIO

. carried by the safety-lever, the sear also carried by the safety-lever and movable pivotally and longitudinally and having finger portions movable adjacent to and clear of the stop-shoulders of the safety-lever, and the trigger.

34. The combination of the safety-lever having a boxing dii its inner side, the hammer and the hammer-spring engaged at its upper end with the hammer and fitting at its lower end within the boxing and having a returned portion at such end held within the boxing on the inner side of the safety-lever.

35. The combination of the spring-actuated safety-lever, the sear, and the combined scar-spring and trigger-spring held lat its lower end to the safety-lever having its upper end divided to form the side tongues for actuating the trigger and the intermediate tongue for adjusting the Sear, said tongues being deflected at their upper ends to exert a forward lifting tendency on the parts they operate. y

36. The combination of the casing, the back plug having a bayonet-joint with the casing, the safety-lever pivoted to the casing and having upwardlyrejecting tongues engaging with the back pihg, the irin g mechanism carried by the safety-lever, and the barrel and breech-block.

37. The combination with the casing, and the safety-lever pivoted thereto, of the barrel sliding in the casing, and the side lock movable in the casing and arranged to lock the safety-lever and means operated by the side lock for locking the barrel from movement in the casing.

38. The combination ofthe casing, the barrel and breech-block, the safety-lever pivote-d to the easing, the hammer pivoted to the safety-,lever and provided with stop lugs or studs to engage with the barrel and prevent the passage of the hammer to firing position when the safety-lever is out of tiring position.

39. A firearm having its grip provided at one side with a safety device spring-pressed normally to an outer position and arranged to be de ressed in grasping the grip of the arm, an the firing devices carried by the safety device for operation, substantially as set forth.

40. A firearm having a casing, a grip portion, a barrel, a safety-lever and a lock arranged adjacent to the grip, and movable into and out of position to lock the sa l`etylever and means operated by said lock for ranged that its position can be readily determined by sight or touch, substantiallyas set forth.

41. The combination of the hammer, the sear arranged to hold and release the hammer, and havinga pivotal and a longitudinal movement, a spring for actuating the sear and a trigger for operating the sear to release the hammer, the trigger bei ng movable longitudinally in a direction'approximately at a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the sear.

42. The combination of the easing, the barrel movable therein, the barrel-s ring, the back ring tor the barrel-spring, tie barrelstop fitting in the casing and having means' for limiting the movement of the barrel and a lug to engage with the bar-k ring of the barrel-spring` and a latch for holding said barrel-stop in position for use.

43. The combination of the casing, the barrel, the side lock movable on the casing into and out of engagement with the safety-lever, and a pin arranged for engagement by the side lock and movable thereby into and out of engagement with the barrel, and arranged to be moved into engagement with the barrel whereby the barrel will be locked by said pin when the side lock is adjusted to engage with the safety-lever.

44. The combination of the casing having a cylinder for the operation of the gas evolved by the explosion, the barrel, movable longitudinally in said easing, the breech-block movable in the barrel, a lat-ch carried by the barrel and arranged to be held by the easing in position to lock` the breech-block to the barrel, until the barrel has adjusted to such position as to release the pressure of the gas, and a spring for readjusting the barrel.

45. The combination of the casing, the barrel longitudinally movable in the casing and having aport for the passage of the gas to the easing and a piston to be acted on by the gas whereby the gas may push forward on the frame thereby counteracting the recoil, a spring for readjusting the barrel, a breechbloek movable with and independently ofthe barrel and given tension by the barrel-spring, and the latch lior locking the breech-block to the barrel in certain positions of the parts.

46. The combination of the casing, the barrel having a rear extension, the barrel-spring, the i ront bearing tor said spring consisting ol'v a ring encircling and sliding along the barrel, a rear bearing t'or the spring through which bearing the barrel may move longitudinally, the breech-block movable in the rear exten-- sion ol' the barrel, a connection between said breeeh-block and the front bearing for the spring, and an abutment carried by the easing for the-rear bearing for the spring.

47. The combination of the casing having an inwardly-projeeting flange and a. cylinder locking. the barrel, said lock being .so arj in rear thereof, the barrel movable in said yIOCi IIO the laterally-bulging portions of the easing in learhof said openings, substantially as set ort 49. An automatic pistol having a casing, a

iongitudinally-inovable barre] Within the casing and the longitudinally-movable grippingplates at the opposite sides of thecasi'ng, subze stantially as set forth. f

JosEPH JoioHiM REIFGRABER.

Witnesses:

- HS. ALBREOHT,

AUG. SCHoELLHoRN. 

